Niemann-Pick disease type B

11p15.3 GA:34400 MIM:607616

Wednesday 15 August 2012

NPDB; acid sphingomyelinase deficiency

Definition: NPD type B is a rare inborn error of metabolism of autosomal recessive inheritance. Patients with Niemann-Pick disease type B (NPDB) have a benign course and prognosis. It is mainly a visceral form without neurologic manifestations despite the massive visceral involvement. NPDB is caused by mutations in the acid lysosomal sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-1 gene (SMPD1) (MIM.607608)

Patients with Niemann-Pick disease type B (NPDB) have a benign course and prognosis, while Niemann-Pick disease type A (NPDA) and Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPDC) are always associated with severe neurological involvement. They are known to be complicated with varying degrees of prognosis-determining liver dysfunction. It is mainly a visceral form without neurologic manifestations despite the massive visceral involvement.